The Walter Camp “Alumni Award”

The Walter Camp “Alumni of the Year” award is bestowed on a worthy individual who has distinguished himself in the pursuit of excellence as an athlete, in his personal career and in doing good works for others.  He must be an individual who has exhibited dedication and good moral conduct in achieving success. He must be a compassionate and unselfish person who contributes his time and assistance in helping to encourage and comfort fellow human beings less talented and less fortunate than himself.  He must be an individual who takes pride in having been a Walter Camp All-American.

Jake Matthews – 2023 Alumni Award

Born in Houston, Texas and the son of Walter Camp Man of the Year Bruce Matthews, Jake Matthews attended the Texas A&M University and was four-year standout for the Aggies.  He earned Walter Camp All-America honors in 2013 and was a two-time unanimous All-Southeastern Conference selection.

Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (6th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, Matthews has played all 10 seasons with the Falcons.  In 2016, Matthews and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, when they faced the New England Patriots.  Following the 2018 season, Matthews earned his first Pro Bowl selection for his play at left tackle.    Since 2015, Matthews has been a standard of consistency and durability – playing at least 1,000 snaps every season.

Jake and his wife Meggi have one son, Beckett.

Walter Camp Alumni Award Recipients

2022- Ty Law, University of Michign

2021 – Desmond Howard, Michigan / Danny Wuerffel, University of Florida

2019 – Von Miller, Texas A&M

2018 – Larry Fitzgerald, University of Pittsburgh

2017 – Eddie George, The Ohio State University

2016 – Orlando Pace, The Ohio State University

2015 – Doug Williams, Grambling State

2014 – Chad Hennings, U.S. Air Force Academy

2013 – Ken Huff, North Carolina

2012 – Derrick Brooks, Florida State

2011 – Chris Spielman, Ohio State

2010 – Tedy Bruschi, Arizona

2009 – David Fulcher, Arizona State

2008 – Tim Brown, Notre Dame

2007 – Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi

2006 – Mike Rozier, Nebraska

2005 – Cornelius Bennett, Alabama

2004 – George Rogers, South Carolina

2003 – Mark May, Pittsburgh

2002 – Dave Casper, Notre Dame

2001 – Herschel Walker, Georgia

2000 – Don McPherson, Syracuse

1999 – Bo Jackson, Auburn

1998 – Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

1997 – Jim Plunkett, Stanford

1996 – Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma

1995 – Jim Covert, Pittsburgh

1994 – Ed Marinaro, Cornell

1993 – Archie Griffin, The Ohio State University

1992 – Kellen Winslow, Missouri

1991 – Steve Owens, Oklahoma

1990 – Thomas L. Jackson, Louisville

1989 – Dr. Tom Casanova, Louisiana State

1988 – Alan Page, Notre Dame

1987 – Mike Reid, Penn State

1986 – Joe Greene, North Texas